Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced Thursday that he has authorized the state’s National Guard to be staged and ready for deployment following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in south Minneapolis on Wednesday morning.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, ICE officers were conducting targeted immigration enforcement operations when the fatal encounter occurred. The federal government’s account claims that Good “weaponized her vehicle, attempting to run over law enforcement officers in an attempt to kill them.” However, video and eyewitness accounts does not back up this claim.
Although Minnesota law enforcement should have jurisdiction in the case, the FBI has restricted evidence access to Minnesota authorities.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey characterized the shooting as resulting from “a federal agent recklessly using power that resulted in somebody dying.” He further stated that the vehicle was not being driven toward the agents, contradicting the federal narrative.
Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that “there is nothing to indicate that this woman was the target of any law enforcement investigation or activity,” noting that Good was shot in the head with at least two gunshot wounds. Witnesses reported that Good had just dropped her 6-year-old son at school moments before the encounter and was driving home when the confrontation with ICE agents occurred.
Video evidence shows an agent attempted to open Good’s driver-side door while another agent moved to the front of her vehicle and drew his firearm. When Good began to drive away, the officer discharged his weapon. The encounter involved multiple shots fired, with the vehicle traveling several feet before crashing into another car.
Governor Walz’s decision to authorize National Guard preparation comes as part of what he described as an “abundance of caution” in response to widespread protests across Minneapolis and other cities. In a statement, Walz acknowledged the peaceful nature of most demonstrations while preparing for potential escalation. “Minnesotans have met this moment. Thousands of people have peacefully made their voices heard. Minnesota: Thank you. We saw powerful peace,” Walz said. “We have every reason to believe that peace will hold.”
Walz also made pointed remarks about federal involvement, stating: “To Donald Trump and Kristi Noem, you’ve done enough. I’ve issued a warning order to prepare the Minnesota National Guard. We have soldiers in training and prepared to be deployed if necessary.” A warning order serves as notification to National Guard members that deployment may be forthcoming. Walz clarified that National Guard soldiers would serve in a support role focused on protecting property and critical infrastructure, allowing local law enforcement to maintain focus on community safety and investigative responsibilities.
Representative Mary Miller of Illinois urged President Trump to invoke the Insurrection Act against Walz, while Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina wrote on social media that “federal authority supersedes state authority” and that Walz’s position constitutes “insurrection.”
The incident has prompted significant mobilization of law enforcement resources. The Minnesota State Patrol has deployed 85 members of its Mobile Response Team to support Twin Cities law enforcement efforts. Minneapolis Public Schools canceled classes for the remainder of the week “due to safety concerns” following a confrontation between U.S. Border Patrol agents and local residents outside a nearby high school.
According to reports from Minneapolis Public Schools and the Minneapolis Federation of Educators, armed U.S. Border Patrol agents entered or remained on Roosevelt High School property without authorization during student dismissal on Wednesday afternoon. School officials stated that agents entered despite being asked to leave, creating a dangerous situation as parents, students, and staff were present. Witnesses reported that armed, masked officers with Border Patrol insignia were present on the school lawn, detaining individuals on the sidewalk outside the school while bystanders shouted and blew whistles.
Videos from the scene appeared to show federal agents tackling individuals, using chemical irritants, and handcuffing school staff members and others.
